# Grading

> In numismatics, the assessment of a coin's or banknote's state of preservation on a recognised scale, such as the 1 to 70 Sheldon scale or descriptive grades like UNC, EF and VF. The grade strongly influences value.

- URL: https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/grading
- Language: English
- Also known as: Coin grading, Grade, State of preservation
- Last updated: 2026-10-07
- Français: https://www.selloff.auction/fr/glossaire/etat-de-conservation.md

## Definition

In numismatics, the assessment of a coin's or banknote's state of preservation on a recognised scale, such as the 1 to 70 Sheldon scale or descriptive grades like UNC, EF and VF. The grade strongly influences value.

Grading combines wear, strike, surface and eye appeal. US grading services such as PCGS and NGC use the Sheldon scale (for example MS 63) and seal coins in certified holders; European houses often use descriptive grades, which vary by language (FDC, SUP, TTB in French; vz, ss in German). Equivalences are approximate, so each house should state its standard in its conditions of sale.

In Selloff, grades can be recorded as a taxonomy or an additional field, so lots can be filtered by grade. See [running a numismatic auction house](https://www.selloff.auction/articles/running-a-numismatic-auction-house.md).

## Related features

- [Lot descriptions](https://www.selloff.auction/features/lot-descriptions.md): Describe lots on a screen you configure, with texts, custom fields, categories and images, and generate repetitive headings and descriptions automatically.
- [Categories & taxonomies](https://www.selloff.auction/features/categories-taxonomies.md): Organise lots with your own hierarchical taxonomies, translated categories and description masks per type of object, shared with collecting areas.

## Related terms

- [Condition report](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/condition-report.md): A written description of an object's physical state (damage, restorations, wear, missing parts) prepared by the auction house, usually on request, to help a bidder decide without seeing the object.
- [Certificate of authenticity](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/certificate-of-authenticity.md): A document issued by a recognised expert, the artist's foundation, the manufacturer or a certification body, attesting that an object is genuine. Its value depends entirely on the authority of the issuer.
- [Provenance](https://www.selloff.auction/glossary/provenance.md): The documented history of an object's ownership, from its creation or discovery to the present. A sound provenance supports authenticity and legal title, and can add to the object's value.